96% of Contributions $100 or less, Average Contribution $49.59 Badger Pledge Remains on the Table.

MIDDLETON - Russ for Wisconsin announced today that the campaign has raised $3.35 million in the first quarter of 2016.

The figure demonstrates a strong start for Russ as the campaign season hits full stride.

Strong grassroots support continues to serve as the backbone of Russ’s campaign. Over 30,000 Wisconsinites have contributed to Russ’s bid for the U.S. Senate. Russ’s contributors hail from all 72 of Wisconsin’s counties. 96% of all Q1 contributions are $100 or less. The average contribution for Q1 is $49.59.

“Tens of thousands of Wisconsinites continue to contribute their time and their resources into building this campaign,” Russ said. “While Sen. Johnson is content to let the three super PACs solely devoted to his bid speak on his behalf, the people of Wisconsin are making it clear that they want leaders who will fight for middle class and working families – not just the wealthy and powerful corporations. I’m very grateful to have such broad grassroots support, and I'll continue to listen to and fight for the people of Wisconsin throughout this campaign.”

Since announcing his candidacy, Russ has traveled to all 72 counties, listening to Wisconsinites in every corner of the state. In June of last year, Russ offered the Badger Pledge to Sen. Ron Johnson to limit outside spending in this campaign. As the Koch Brothers' dark-money arm, Americans for Prosperity, currently runs a million-dollar statewide TV ad backing Sen. Ron Johnson, today marks 300 days without a response from Sen. Johnson on the Badger Pledge.

As More Senators Take Garland Nomination Seriously, Johnson Remains in Lockstep with Obstructionist Fringe.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday news broke that Republican Sens. Ayotte, Portman, Murkowski, and Flake are all set to meet with Judge Merrick Garland next week. After meeting with Garland, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is now “more convinced than ever” that Garland should get a hearing.

And today at lunch, Sen. Mark Kirk was spotted handing out memos to his Republican colleagues encouraging them to meet with Garland.

But despite the majority of Wisconsinites who want the Senate to do its job and hold hearings, Sen. Ron Johnson remains in lockstep behind the Koch brothers and the Republican lobbyists who have spent millions to obstruct the nomination process and Mitch McConnell who just yesterday said, “I think it’s safe to say that there will not be hearings or votes.”

Johnson himself was the first to admit that his obstruction is entirely due to partisan politics. But the Supreme Court should be a cause beyond politics. Even some Senate Republicans now seem to understand that. Unfortunately, Ron Johnson is not one of them.